Actuator Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

• White Bear Lake, MN

The Electro-Mechanical Design Engineer - R&D develops innovative products and technologies that combine mechanical systems, electrical components, sensors, controls, and software-enabled functionality. This role supports projects from concept through design, prototyping, validation, production launch, and post-launch improvement.

As Electro-Mechanical R&D Engineer at Wilson Tool, this role will:

• Design and develop electro-mechanical products, subsystems, test fixtures, and technology demonstrators.
• Integrate mechanical components with sensors, actuators, motors, controls, wiring, and embedded or connected devices.
• Build and test prototypes, analyze results, resolve technical issues, and document design decisions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure designs are safe, reliable, cost-effective, and production-ready.
• Support Stage-Gate reviews, product launches, field trials, and continuous product improvement.
• Investigate emerging technologies and convert promising concepts into practical customer solutions.

• Develop electro-mechanical concepts and detailed designs from customer, market, and technical requirements.
• Select and integrate sensors, motors, actuators, switches, controls, power supplies, communication devices, and related components.
• Create mechanical designs, assemblies, drawings, specifications, schematics, wiring diagrams, and bills of material.
• Apply sound engineering principles to tolerance, motion, loading, thermal, environmental, electrical, and safety considerations.

• Plan and execute prototype builds, bench testing, design verification, validation, and field trials.
• Develop test methods, fixtures, data-acquisition approaches, and acceptance criteria.
• Analyze test data, identify root causes, and implement corrective design actions.
• Document test results, technical findings, risks, and recommendations.

• Partner with other R&D team members including electrical engineers, embedded systems engineer, design engineers as well as product management, manufacturing, sales, service, and global technical teams throughout development.
• Support design reviews, Stage-Gate reviews, risk assessments, cost reviews, and production-readiness activities.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly, inspection, serviceability, and cost.
• Work with suppliers to define component requirements, evaluate alternatives, and resolve technical or quality issues.
• Support first builds, pilot production, product launch, customer trials, and transition to normal production ownership.

• Research emerging technologies in automation, sensing, controls, robotics, connected products, and advanced manufacturing.
• Generate and evaluate new concepts through structured experimentation and rapid prototyping.
• Identify potentially patentable inventions and support invention disclosures and intellectual-property reviews.
• Apply lessons learned and continuous-improvement methods to products and R&D processes.
• Support troubleshooting and product improvement activities for released products when specialized technical knowledge is required.
• Follow applicable safety, quality, regulatory, cybersecurity, and company requirements.
• Engage with customers and end users to understand applications, observe product use, and validate solutions.
• Perform other engineering and innovation responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience developing electro-mechanical products, equipment, automation, or engineered systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical components, sensors, actuators, motors, controls, or embedded systems.
• Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, bills of material, prototyping, testing, and design documentation.
• Experience using Planview Project Advantage, or a comparable project-management platform, to manage tasks, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• Experience working within a formal Stage-Gate product development process, including technical deliverables, gate preparation, reviews, and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of design for manufacturability, structured problem-solving, and product validation methods.

• Experience with SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, electrical schematic tools, or related engineering software.
• Experience in tooling, machining, metal forming, industrial equipment, robotics, automation, or discrete manufacturing.
• Familiarity with PLCs, embedded controllers, industrial communications, data acquisition, or connected-product technologies.
• Familiarity with FMEA, tolerance analysis, statistical methods, Lean product development, or Design for Six Sigma.
• Experience working with suppliers, customers, global teams, patents, or regulated product requirements.

• Strong mechanical and electrical problem-solving skills with a systems-level approach.
• Ability to convert ambiguous customer or market needs into testable engineering requirements.
• Ability to independently plan technical work while collaborating effectively across functions.
• Strong hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, experimentation, and laboratory skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet commitments, and communicate risks early.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, specifications, test data, and manufacturing documentation.
• Curiosity, creativity, sound judgment, and willingness to work outside established solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn engineering, project, and data-analysis tools.
• Customer-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

On-site work at the White Bear Lake, Minnesota facility. The role operates in office, engineering, laboratory, and manufacturing environments and includes hands-on prototype, testing, and production-support activities. Personal protective equipment may be required in designated areas.

Full-time; core business hours or as determined by business needs.

Some travel is required to company facilities, suppliers, customers, trade events, or project partners.

Exempt - $105,500-$131,900 DOQ

This position does not typically have direct supervisory responsibility but may coordinate technicians, interns, suppliers, or cross-functional contributors for assigned development activities.